A young mother, 23, passed away after engaging in a drinking competition at a nightclub while celebrating her birthday. María José Ardila, a mother to a 10-month-old baby, was out with friends just before her 24th birthday. They participated in a series of six drinking challenges, including consuming various alcoholic drinks within time limits.
María, from Cali, Colombia, was at a local nightclub named Sagsa when the tragic incident occurred. The group was vying for a prize that started at £296 (COP 1.5m) and later increased to £395 (COP 2m). During the final challenge, María struggled to complete all the shots, expressing her discomfort before collapsing unconscious on the floor.
She experienced convulsions, and despite efforts from friends to get her to a hospital, they faced challenges finding transportation. María suffered aspiration pneumonia, leading to a collapsed lung. She was rushed to a nearby hospital where medical staff resuscitated her multiple times. After spending three days in the ICU, her family made the difficult decision to disconnect life support due to brain death.
Authorities in Cali expressed concerns over the incident, emphasizing the need for inspections in commercial establishments selling alcohol to ensure safety protocols. The nightclub, Sagsa Bar, extended condolences to María’s family and pledged cooperation during the investigation into the tragic event.
